The cold war was a bipolar conflict between two global superpowers, The United States and the Soviet Union. It began after WWII for the Soviets saw that the United States were willing to use their supremely powerful weapons, The atomic bomb, on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Therefore the Soviet Union started to build their own atomic bombs, which would soon be improved by the US to hydrogen bombs. The arms race between the two superpowers had begun. Tensions remained between these two powers and split the word into supporters of Communism or the US. The strategy was fear, and if their was to be a nuclear war, who would be the first to attack, for they would contain the advantage. Therefore neither of the superpowers wished to launch any weapons for their fear of the other power’s retaliation. So tension and fear remained until the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1890s making the United States the supposed “victor”. The cold war lead to many advancements in warfare and the and technological weapons. For this was one of the reasons for the Soviet Union to create the first satellite that was sent into orbit, “Sputnik”, it also lead to the creation of “strategic intercontinental rockets capable of delivering a nuclear warhead anywhere in the world within minutes.” In conclusion, the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was more or less an arms race between the two power for superior nuclear weapons, and the inability for each power to act for fear of a retaliation and a possible "nuclear winter". Ending with the war leading to many advancements in to war and especially nuclear warfare in particular. [1] And this along with the end of WWII with other nuclear conflicts lead to the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) 1970.
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Arguments For and Against Proliferation
Arguments in Favor of Nuclear Proliferation
Pierre Marie Gallios was an advocate of nuclear proliferation. He argues that the mere possession of a nuclear arsenal was enough to ensure deterrence, concluding that the spread of nuclear weapons could increase international stability.
Kenneth Waltz & John Mearsheimer two scholars who argues that nuclear proliferation will decrease the likelihood of war, especially in troubled regions of the world.
Arguments Against Proliferation
Reason 1: The entire world would be safer if the world were free from nuclear weapons
Nuclear weapons are the only weapon ever invented that could take out the entire human race
Reason 2: The World Court has declared the threat or use of nuclear weapons illeagal
July 8th, 1996 The International court of Justice made the threat or use of any nuclear weapon illeagal
Reason 3: Nuclear Weapons are morally wrong
Although it is up for deabate the argument for the use of nuclear weapons in unsupportable
Reason 4: Wars have not been prevented due to the presence of nuclear weapons
The possesion of nuclear weapons has not put an end to war
Reason 5: Nuclear Weapons= costly
In 1950 nuclear weapons were promoted as more bang for your buck but it is actually entirely opposite
Reason 6: countries have already given up their weapons showing that it is possible for a country to go on without them
South Africa devoloped and finish making nuclear weapons only to dismember them entirely
John Mearsheimer Kenneth Waltz Pierre Marie Gallios
The NPT was created to limit the spread of nuclear weapons following WWII, and was opened for signature on July 1, 1968. Currently there are 189 countries that have signed the NPT and five have nuclear weapons: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and and the People's Republic of China, all of which are the permanent members of the UN Security Council. [2]
However, there are countries who posses nuclear weapons who are not a part of the treaty, including India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea. India and Pakistan openly test nuclear bombs and North Korea acceded to the conditions of the treaty, violated the conditions and later withdrew.
The treaty is made up of three main "pillars" which include non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use nuclear energy. The following map shows the current members of the NPT treaty.
██ Signed and ratified ██ Acceded or succeeded ██ Abiding by treaty though outside ██ Withdrawn ██ Non-signatory
International Atomic Energy Agency
(http://www.iaea.org/About/index.html)
The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) was created under the NPT and is responsible for safeguards, security, science and technology in relation to the nuclear field. It was set up as the worlds "Atoms for Peace" organization which seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and inhibit it's nuclear use. The IAEA was established July 29, 1957, and though created independently of the United Nations it reports to both the Security Council and General Assembly.
Other Treaties:
http://library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/timeline/treaties.html Limited Test Ban Treaty: The Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963 was between the US, USSR and UK which prevented nuclear testing underwater, in outer space and above ground. Underground testing is allowed, however, as long as radioactive fallout is not a threat. 116 countries total have signed the treaty. In 1992 China (who had not signed) did testing that violated the treaty.
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF): Created in 1987 the INF was between the US and USSR, banning all intermediate range missiles, short ranged missiles and all items associated with the missiles.
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty: This treaty, created in 1991, was also between the US and USSR and prohibited the number of nuclear delivery vehicles and warheads of both countries. Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): Created in 1996 and signed by ninety countries the CTBT banned nuclear tests above and below the Earths surface and is monitored by seismic stations worldwide. India didn't sign.
4) Conflicts Today - Results of Proliferation
India, Pakistan and Israel have been "threshold" countries in terms of the international non-proliferation regime.
In May 1998 Pakistan and India exploded nuclear bombs underground. A nuclear arms race was then anticipated between the two countries, this concern was strengthened especially after not signing the 1970 proliferation treaty.
India
Nuclear power is used for civil use in India; they wish to be independent from the nuclear fuel cycle as they have refused the treaty. In 2000 3.1% of India’s electricity was provided by Nuclear Power, this is expected to rise to 5% by 2005.
In 1974 India exploded the Smiling Buddha (a nuclear device) as a response to Chinas nuclear weapon capabilities, and also to establish that they are a dominating power in the region.
In 1995 USA helped test nuclear weapons, this was followed. In 1998 there were 5 more tests in Operation Shakti, claiming to be militarily and testing new techniques.
The relationship between India and China is not extremely stable because China supports Pakistan’s Nuclear weapon. India’s concern with Pakistan’s nuclear weapons was addressed by the USA recently through a meeting with the Prime Minister, USA agreeing to support India’s production of Nuclear weapons and will give nuclear power assistance to India.
Pakistan
Pakistan’s Electricity is only supplied 1.7% by Nuclear power, its concentration is on weapon technology.
In April 1998 Pakistan fired, a long-range missile capable of reaching Madras in south India, this removed all advantage that India had over Pakistan. In 2003 the IAEA revealed a Black Market of nuclear power, with close ties to Pakistan. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the president of Pakistan was directly involved with the nuclear power Black Market.
North Korea/Pakistan
North Korea joined the NPT in 1985 and signed with the IAEA agreeing to all circumstances of the treaty. An extraction plant was opened in Yongbyon, this was a reactor extracting plutonium from the fuel and using it for nuclear weapons.
When Inspections were made in 1993 by the IAEA, North Korea threatened to withdraw from the NPT. USA in 1994 led negotiations resulting in the Agreed Framework, which allowed the safeguard to collect the spent fuel rods in canisters not allowing North-Korea to extract the plutonium.
BRAZIL
On May 6, 2006, Brazil inaugurated a controversial uranium enrichment facility at Resende, 90 miles to the west of Rio de Janeiro. Brazils plan was to use this facility as a Uranium Enrichment for there Nuclear Power plants and eventually sell to the global market. The IAEA was forced to check for the safeguard regulation, they refused a visit from the IAEA in February and March 2004, but was then accepted in while covering key machinery claming it was for safety reasons. This was alleged that the hidden equipment inside the plant was coming from Dr. Khans Black Market in Pakistan.
Iran
Iran and the United States Launched a nuclear program in Iran as part of the Atoms for Peace program. In 1979 the Islamic revolution put an end to the Nuclear Program. The Country then revolted to the threats of closing the plants and claimed to have 360 new weapons and more medium sized plants in the future in order to grow their nuclear facilities.
NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION
Cold War - Start of NPT
The cold war was a bipolar conflict between two global superpowers, The United States and the Soviet Union. It began after WWII for the Soviets saw that the United States were willing to use their supremely powerful weapons, The atomic bomb, on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Therefore the Soviet Union started to build their own atomic bombs, which would soon be improved by the US to hydrogen bombs. The arms race between the two superpowers had begun. Tensions remained between these two powers and split the word into supporters of Communism or the US. The strategy was fear, and if their was to be a nuclear war, who would be the first to attack, for they would contain the advantage. Therefore neither of the superpowers wished to launch any weapons for their fear of the other power’s retaliation. So tension and fear remained until the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1890s making the United States the supposed “victor”. The cold war lead to many advancements in warfare and the and technological weapons. For this was one of the reasons for the Soviet Union to create the first satellite that was sent into orbit, “Sputnik”, it also lead to the creation of “strategic intercontinental rockets capable of delivering a nuclear warhead anywhere in the world within minutes.” In conclusion, the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was more or less an arms race between the two power for superior nuclear weapons, and the inability for each power to act for fear of a retaliation and a possible "nuclear winter". Ending with the war leading to many advancements in to war and especially nuclear warfare in particular. [1] And this along with the end of WWII with other nuclear conflicts lead to the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) 1970.
>
-
Arguments For and Against ProliferationArguments in Favor of Nuclear Proliferation
- Pierre Marie Gallios was an advocate of nuclear proliferation. He argues that the mere possession of a nuclear arsenal was enough to ensure deterrence, concluding that the spread of nuclear weapons could increase international stability.
- Kenneth Waltz & John Mearsheimer two scholars who argues that nuclear proliferation will decrease the likelihood of war, especially in troubled regions of the world.
Arguments Against Proliferation- Reason 1: The entire world would be safer if the world were free from nuclear weapons
Nuclear weapons are the only weapon ever invented that could take out the entire human race- Reason 2: The World Court has declared the threat or use of nuclear weapons illeagal
July 8th, 1996 The International court of Justice made the threat or use of any nuclear weapon illeagal- Reason 3: Nuclear Weapons are morally wrong
Although it is up for deabate the argument for the use of nuclear weapons in unsupportable- Reason 4: Wars have not been prevented due to the presence of nuclear weapons
The possesion of nuclear weapons has not put an end to war- Reason 5: Nuclear Weapons= costly
In 1950 nuclear weapons were promoted as more bang for your buck but it is actually entirely opposite- Reason 6: countries have already given up their weapons showing that it is possible for a country to go on without them
South Africa devoloped and finish making nuclear weapons only to dismember them entirelyJohn Mearsheimer Kenneth Waltz Pierre Marie Gallios
Organizations, Agencies and Treaties
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Non-Proliferation_Treaty#History )( http://www.acronym.org.uk/npt/ )
The NPT was created to limit the spread of nuclear weapons following WWII, and was opened for signature on July 1, 1968. Currently there are 189 countries that have signed the NPT and five have nuclear weapons: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and and the People's Republic of China, all of which are the permanent members of the UN Security Council. [2]
However, there are countries who posses nuclear weapons who are not a part of the treaty, including India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea. India and Pakistan openly test nuclear bombs and North Korea acceded to the conditions of the treaty, violated the conditions and later withdrew.
The treaty is made up of three main "pillars" which include non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use nuclear energy. The following map shows the current members of the NPT treaty.
██ Signed and ratified ██ Acceded or succeeded ██ Abiding by treaty though outside ██ Withdrawn ██ Non-signatory
International Atomic Energy Agency
(http://www.iaea.org/About/index.html)The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) was created under the NPT and is responsible for safeguards, security, science and technology in relation to the nuclear field. It was set up as the worlds "Atoms for Peace" organization which seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and inhibit it's nuclear use. The IAEA was established July 29, 1957, and though created independently of the United Nations it reports to both the Security Council and General Assembly.
Other Treaties:
http://library.thinkquest.org/17940/texts/timeline/treaties.htmlLimited Test Ban Treaty: The Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963 was between the US, USSR and UK which prevented nuclear testing underwater, in outer space and above ground. Underground testing is allowed, however, as long as radioactive fallout is not a threat. 116 countries total have signed the treaty. In 1992 China (who had not signed) did testing that violated the treaty.
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF): Created in 1987 the INF was between the US and USSR, banning all intermediate range missiles, short ranged missiles and all items associated with the missiles.
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty: This treaty, created in 1991, was also between the US and USSR and prohibited the number of nuclear delivery vehicles and warheads of both countries.
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): Created in 1996 and signed by ninety countries the CTBT banned nuclear tests above and below the Earths surface and is monitored by seismic stations worldwide. India didn't sign.
4) Conflicts Today - Results of Proliferation
India, Pakistan and Israel have been "threshold" countries in terms of the international non-proliferation regime.
In May 1998 Pakistan and India exploded nuclear bombs underground. A nuclear arms race was then anticipated between the two countries, this concern was strengthened especially after not signing the 1970 proliferation treaty.
India
Nuclear power is used for civil use in India; they wish to be independent from the nuclear fuel cycle as they have refused the treaty. In 2000 3.1% of India’s electricity was provided by Nuclear Power, this is expected to rise to 5% by 2005.
In 1974 India exploded the Smiling Buddha (a nuclear device) as a response to Chinas nuclear weapon capabilities, and also to establish that they are a dominating power in the region.
In 1995 USA helped test nuclear weapons, this was followed. In 1998 there were 5 more tests in Operation Shakti, claiming to be militarily and testing new techniques.
The relationship between India and China is not extremely stable because China supports Pakistan’s Nuclear weapon. India’s concern with Pakistan’s nuclear weapons was addressed by the USA recently through a meeting with the Prime Minister, USA agreeing to support India’s production of Nuclear weapons and will give nuclear power assistance to India.
Pakistan
Pakistan’s Electricity is only supplied 1.7% by Nuclear power, its concentration is on weapon technology.
In April 1998 Pakistan fired, a long-range missile capable of reaching Madras in south India, this removed all advantage that India had over Pakistan. In 2003 the IAEA revealed a Black Market of nuclear power, with close ties to Pakistan. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the president of Pakistan was directly involved with the nuclear power Black Market.
North Korea/Pakistan
North Korea joined the NPT in 1985 and signed with the IAEA agreeing to all circumstances of the treaty. An extraction plant was opened in Yongbyon, this was a reactor extracting plutonium from the fuel and using it for nuclear weapons.
When Inspections were made in 1993 by the IAEA, North Korea threatened to withdraw from the NPT. USA in 1994 led negotiations resulting in the Agreed Framework, which allowed the safeguard to collect the spent fuel rods in canisters not allowing North-Korea to extract the plutonium.
BRAZIL
On May 6, 2006, Brazil inaugurated a controversial uranium enrichment facility at Resende, 90 miles to the west of Rio de Janeiro. Brazils plan was to use this facility as a Uranium Enrichment for there Nuclear Power plants and eventually sell to the global market. The IAEA was forced to check for the safeguard regulation, they refused a visit from the IAEA in February and March 2004, but was then accepted in while covering key machinery claming it was for safety reasons. This was alleged that the hidden equipment inside the plant was coming from Dr. Khans Black Market in Pakistan.
Iran
Iran and the United States Launched a nuclear program in Iran as part of the Atoms for Peace program. In 1979 the Islamic revolution put an end to the Nuclear Program. The Country then revolted to the threats of closing the plants and claimed to have 360 new weapons and more medium sized plants in the future in order to grow their nuclear facilities.